I saw the TV series FRIENDS for the first time when I was in college. Me and my brother used to watch it on our desktop. Sometimes we used to catch an episode or two on Star world. But as I moved out after graduation and into residency I hardly watched TV. Knowing my love for the TV series my brother even gifted me the whole DVD set few years ago. But I hardly ever got a chance to go through it. The COVID lockdown gave me the opportunity to go through the entire 10 seasons uninterrupted. Being a FRIENDS fanatic I decided to analyse and put it in words why I like the series so much. There may be many other 90s kids like me out there who love it too, so this is for them.
1.Discover 'What you are' in life.
The first episode of FRIENDS started with Rachel eloping from her own wedding. As a teenager I always thought what a fool she was. Why would anyone give away a life of privilege and security to become a waitress? But when she was made to cut all her daddy's credit cards and Monica said 'Welcome to the real world, it sucks , you're going to love it' , there couldn't be anything more truthful than that.
Hierarchy
Could there Be a more diverse group of friends? A PhD, an actor, a chef, a masseuse, a waitress, and an advertising guy. Each coming from diverse backgrounds even family wise. And yet they were so non-judgemental. Isn't it important to see the person for what he is and not what he does or where he comes from or who his father is? In this day and age where 'nepotism' is still 'trending' this is something to think about.
3. Its never too late to find your passion.
Chandler was stuck in a well- paying job he hated. It took him a whole lot of guts and Monica to finally quit the job and find something that he enjoyed- Advertising. Even though it meant he had to start at the junior most level. They had a tough time surviving financially and even had to borrow money from Joey. But they made it through.
4. Life will keep giving lemons. So enjoy your lemonade.
Joey- he was so out of work all the time. Yet we rarely caught him sulking. 'Sometimes being stupid helps' is what I learnt from him. Is there any use being smart all the time? Try stupidity, it can be fun. Like when he taught Ross who was on a sabbatical how to kill time- by calling Chandler at work. 'And that's Wednesday'.
5. 'Log kya kahenge',What is that?
Truly, they all gave a damn about that didn't they.
Be it being a surrogate mom to your brother's kids or a lesbian couple getting married and raising a child or a single mom having a child out of wedlock. Things that seemed totally outrageous 20 years back are finally becoming acceptable today. Are we finally becoming a more socially tolerant society?
6. The definition of success is different for different people.
The show ended on a high note as each one found success in their own sweet way.
1. Chandler and Monica realised their dream of suburban bliss by settling into a house with two beautiful adopted kids.
1.Discover 'What you are' in life.
The first episode of FRIENDS started with Rachel eloping from her own wedding. As a teenager I always thought what a fool she was. Why would anyone give away a life of privilege and security to become a waitress? But when she was made to cut all her daddy's credit cards and Monica said 'Welcome to the real world, it sucks , you're going to love it' , there couldn't be anything more truthful than that.
Hierarchy
Could there Be a more diverse group of friends? A PhD, an actor, a chef, a masseuse, a waitress, and an advertising guy. Each coming from diverse backgrounds even family wise. And yet they were so non-judgemental. Isn't it important to see the person for what he is and not what he does or where he comes from or who his father is? In this day and age where 'nepotism' is still 'trending' this is something to think about.
3. Its never too late to find your passion.
Chandler was stuck in a well- paying job he hated. It took him a whole lot of guts and Monica to finally quit the job and find something that he enjoyed- Advertising. Even though it meant he had to start at the junior most level. They had a tough time surviving financially and even had to borrow money from Joey. But they made it through.
4. Life will keep giving lemons. So enjoy your lemonade.
Joey- he was so out of work all the time. Yet we rarely caught him sulking. 'Sometimes being stupid helps' is what I learnt from him. Is there any use being smart all the time? Try stupidity, it can be fun. Like when he taught Ross who was on a sabbatical how to kill time- by calling Chandler at work. 'And that's Wednesday'.
5. 'Log kya kahenge',What is that?
Truly, they all gave a damn about that didn't they.
Be it being a surrogate mom to your brother's kids or a lesbian couple getting married and raising a child or a single mom having a child out of wedlock. Things that seemed totally outrageous 20 years back are finally becoming acceptable today. Are we finally becoming a more socially tolerant society?
6. The definition of success is different for different people.
The show ended on a high note as each one found success in their own sweet way.
1. Chandler and Monica realised their dream of suburban bliss by settling into a house with two beautiful adopted kids.
2. Rachel's graph in the show began with running away from home with no skills at all-' I am trained for nothing' she said so non-challantly. And yet she ended up getting a job offer from Louis Vuitton in Paris.
3. Phoebe, the hippie, with a mother who killed herself and father who abandoned her found her fairy tale come true with the perfect life partner ,Mike. 'You are my family' she said as she as she took her wedding vows on a snow laden street with her friend playing 'Steel drums' in the background. Truly magical!
4. Ross, the geeky professor with a childhood crush could finally find courage to say it to the one girl who mattered to him the most that,' She is the one'. Aww. Don't we all love mushy love stories.
5. Joey, well, he remains in transition. And that too is success!
So there it is..a show with many witty moments but with important life lessons too.. and we all know the stories are far from over. So here's hoping for a reunion or a spin-off sometime soon after the lockdown is over. Till then keep Binge-watching....cause Rain or shine' They'll be there for you!'
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